Maldivian accused of espionage making film on police atrocities

Thiruvananthapuram: The controversial Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spy case of the 1990s that brought down then Kerala Chief Ninister K Karu-nakaran is in the limelight once again with one of the accused reported to be making a film on the atrocities meted out to her by police.
 
 

 
Maldivian nationals Fousia Hassan and Mariam Rasheeda, alognwith two ISRO scientists and a businessman, were accused of espionage by Kerala police in October 1994. After generating a lot controversy and attracting media attention, the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court for lack of evidence and all the accused were set free in Dec 1997.
 

 
Now, a local TV channel has reported that Fousia was here from May 28 to June 7 for the shooting of a film for a Maldivian channel about her torture in police custody.
 

 
The director of the film, identified only as Joseph, claimed Fousia was present during the shooting and the State owned Kerala State Film Development Corpo-ration’s unit was used for the production. A hotelier also said that Fousia stayed at his establishment.
 

 
Police officials said foreign nationals have to inform them of their stay and the reason for their visit. However, Fousia did not do so.
 

 
Inspector General of Police Arun Kumar Sinha that the police were investigating the matter.”I have asked the Police Commissioner to give me a report on this. They will speak to the producer and director of the tele-film and also get information about where the team from Maldives stayed while shooting the film,” said Sinha